Today is the birthday of French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), one of many painters living and working in Paris in the late 19th century. Toulouse-Lautrec is best-known for his depictions of Parisian nightlife, the circus and the caberet scene, in particular. His famous paitning, At the Moulin Rouge (1892/1895; oil on canvas, 48-7/16 x 55-1/2) is in the collection The Art Institute of Chicago.

Here is a quote from the artist to mark the occasion:

"Bonnat tells me, 'Your painting isn't bad; it is chic. But even so, it isn't bad. But your drawing is absolutely atrocious.' So I must gather my courage and start once again ..." —Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

I find this an encouraging remark, reminding anyone who works at art-making that part of the experience is finding the courage to start again, and to use criticism as a means for finding that motivation, if necessary.